Man rescued alive five days after earthquake

Yangon

A 26-year-old hotel worker was pulled alive from the rubble of a collapsed hotel in Nay Pyi Taw, five days after a massive earthquake hit Myanmar. The powerful 7.7-magnitude quake struck on Friday, causing widespread destruction. Rescue teams from the Myanmar Fire Services Department and Turkey worked for hours to save the trapped man. He was finally rescued around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. Another person remains trapped, and efforts to locate them are ongoing.

The earthquake has caused devastating damage across Myanmar, with the death toll reaching 2,719. Officials confirmed that 4,521 people have been injured, and 441 are still missing. Thousands of homes and buildings have collapsed, leaving many homeless.

Myanmar’s Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing announced a week-long mourning period for the victims. However, he also rejected ceasefire proposals from ethnic armed groups, stating that military operations will continue. This decision raises concerns about how humanitarian aid will be distributed, as some fear it may be directed toward areas favored by the military.

The earthquake has affected major cities such as Mandalay, Sagaing, and Naypyidaw. Hospitals are struggling to handle the influx of injured people. The United Nations, the US, India, the European Union, and other international groups have sent aid and rescue teams.

The Indian Army and Navy are actively involved in providing both immediate relief and long-term support to help the affected communities rebuild their lives. Rescue operations are continuing, as authorities rush to find more survivors.